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Thursday, June 28, 2012

Fr Pavone Vindicated

It seems Fr Frank Pavone of Priests for Life has been vindicated by the Vatican. Fr Pavone had been "suspended" by his Ordinary, Bishop Patrick Zurek of Amarillo, and not allowed to continue his work with Priests for Life, and sent to an isolated monastery in Texas to work as chaplain.

The Bishop alleged that there were financial irregularities in the charity and that the accounts had not been submitted to him. The charity had responded, with evidence, proving that there were no financial irregularities and that the accounts had always been available and financial reports had been submitted. The board of Priests for Life include a few bishops who were aware of the charity's financial situation. In a letter to his fellow bishops, Bishop Zurek asked them to encourage their people not to support Priests for Life financially. It seems the bishops followed this advice and the pro-life charity has suffered. Bishop Zurek also alleged that Fr Pavone had not shown him the proper respect and deference due to him as bishop.

Fr Pavone appealed to the Holy See, and on the 12 May 2012 a decision was made in the priest's favour: Priests for Life have issued a statement. In its decision the Holy See recognised that a bishop has the right to assign a priest to whatever appointment he chooses.

Bishop Zurek has also issued a statement confirming the Vatican decision and indicating that Fr Pavone will remain in the monastery as chaplain for the time being. He has indicated that he will consider, on a case by case basis, any request Fr Pavone may make to participate in certain pro-life activities, providing he (the bishop) decides on what Fr Pavone's role and function in those activities may be. NCR has an interesting article on the decision here.

On one level this is all very strange, and there may be more going on beneath the surface. We do know that the Holy See rarely makes a decision against a bishop, even innocent priests tend to lose out so the Vatican may not be seen to be undermining a bishop - priests must accept the sacrifice in a Christ-like way. Whenever the Vatican does make a decision against a bishop it will do so very carefully and I think that is what is going on here. My reading of this decision is that the Holy See has said that Fr Pavone was right and unjustly treated, but it is being careful not to hang Bishop Zurek out to dry and so confirmed that as the priest's superior he may reassign him whenever he likes.

Perhaps there has also been a word in the bishop's ear, and perhaps a move might be on the cards in the near future, who knows. At the moment Fr Pavone, now vindicated, must be obedient to his bishop, and wait on the Lord. If God wants him for the service of the pro-life cause, then things will happen to ensure that. In the meantime we must keep Fr Pavone, Bishop Zurek, Priests for Life and the pro-life cause in our prayers.

This debacle has seriously damaged the cause for life in the US and given fuel to the pro-abortion lobby as they have danced on Fr Pavone's reputation, and the good work of Priests for Life has been damaged and hampered. Let's hope things will get back on track for them and donations will come in once again for the fine work the charity is engaged in.

4 comments:

Fr. JohnThis is a simple enough case. Did Bishop Zurek follow due process before he suspended Fr. Pavone. It would appear he did not. However on the substantial question Bishop Zureck was proven right. He does have the power to move Fr Pavone.Contrary to what you have written above , it is not unusual for the Holy See to protect the rights of priests and many times priests have won against their Bishops. Most of the times it is because of due process. Bishops tend to jump the gun instead of going through the slower process. That is what has happened here, the Bishop suspended Pavone without going through the procedure step by step.

Not so sure I agree with you, Fr Burke. We are not privy to the Vatican decree, all we know is that it was decided that Fr Pavone was not suspended from activities outside the diocese.

Given that no substantial accusation was made against Fr Pavone (the accusations of financial impropriety in Priests for Life made by the bishop were proven to be false, and we have only the bishop's opinion on whether Fr Pavone was not deferential enough to him)the suspension was unlawful and perhaps could even be considered unjust. In stating that the bishop had the right to assign a priest to a new appointment the Vatican was only stating the obvious. I see no indication that the decision was based on the view that the bishop jumped the gun.

As for the Vatican not supporting priests over bishops - I agree with you there, but there are cases where priests have been sidelined so as not to undermine a bishop - I know of one myself. The priest I know was told to "stick with it". The bishop just quietly carried on as if nothing had happened.

At the end of the day, the Curia is as political as anywhere else, and unless serious issues are at stake, they tend not to discipline in public a bishop they have appointed.

Canonist Edward Peters explained last September, Bishop Zurek “should not have used the term ‘suspend’ in regard to Pavone, for ‘suspension’ is a canonical penalty for crime (c. 1333), and Pavone has not been accused of any crime.”

I am glad that Fr. Pavone has been vindicated, but in the end it is obedience. I agree that if it is God's will he will be appointed to Priests for Life ministry. I have wondered if Fr. Pavone stepped on other Bishops's toes in some of his pro-life work and his re-assignment was politics in American bishopric circles. He could at least be reappointed to the ministry, and be restored to director of PFL soon. I am glad his reputation is restored. His work with the Terri Schiavo case changed my perceptions of supposed human "vegetables" and has also changed science and therapy for patients who have similar injuries. He brought the right to life issue to the forefront of the Catholic awareness.

Novena to the Holy Family for the Cause of Marriage and Family Life in Ireland

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

Holy Family of Nazareth,

we bless and venerate you.

We commend to your care and protection

the cause of marriage and family life.

May the peace which reigned in your home

take possession of all hearts and abide in all families.

Confirm all men and women in the truth

so we may recognise what is good and right

and reject all that hinders life

and the true flourishing of humanity.

Guide the hearts of all citizens

that we may witness to the truth

in forming the laws governing our society.

Bless those who work for the protection

of marriage, family and life.

O Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

Holy Family of Nazareth,

We entrust our hearts and our lives to you.

Amen

Novena To Blessed Paul VI For A Miracle For An Unborn Baby Boy

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for the witness of your Servant, Blessed Paul VI, who served you and the Church as Universal Pastor in difficult times.

As a pilgrim among pilgrims he sought to reveal the beauty and joy of the Gospel to the men and women of his time, choosing the way of gentleness and forbearance.

As Shepherd of the flock he sought to proclaim the truth in a time of great confusion in imitation of his patron the Apostle to the Gentiles.

As Servant he proclaimed the Gospel of Life and in doing so bore the cross of suffering and isolation in union with your Crucified Son becoming a Prophet in the midst of the growing culture of death.

As we beseech you to raise your Servant to be numbered among the Saints, may his example of faith, courage and patient endurance inspire us in our daily living of the Gospel and in our witness to Jesus Christ.

May we too be Prophets of life, respecting, protecting and cherishing the gift of life, most especially in its most vulnerable moments.

May we too be your missionaries at this time, seeking to transform the hearts of all men and women through the joy we find in Christ.

Hear our prayers, most Merciful Father, and grant us through the intercession of Blessed Paul the graces we now ask that you may grant a healing of baby Paul.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.

Blessed Paul VI, pray for him

Prayer For Christians In The Middle East

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour of the world, look upon our brothers and sisters in the Middle East, who proclaim your Name and live your Gospel in the midst of persecution, strive and martyrdom. Save them, we pray, protect them, and hear our prayer that peace may come to the Land you graced with your presence.

Pro-Life Novena to St Gianna

Saint Gianna,
Wife, Mother, Doctor and exemplary Christian,
intercede with Christ, our Lord of Life
to help us in these times to proclaim the Gospel of Life;
to bring to an end the evil of abortion
and the conversion of those who promote it;
to help and console those women tempted to do it,
and to heal those who have had one.
Watch over Ireland in these critical days.
Amen.

Three Hail Marys.

About Me

Fr John Hogan, OCDS, a Secular Discalced Carmelite priest serving in the Diocese of Meath, Ireland, is the founder and current Father Director of the Fraternity of St Genesius, an international association of prayer for those in the arts and media. He co-hosts the television series "Forgotten Heritage" on the Eternal Word Television Network.

St Genesius

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Assist the Church in her mission of evangelisation to those in the cinema and the arts. As a member of the Fraternity of St Genesius, you can be a missionary through your prayer, uniting yourself with men and women all over the world. In this International Family of Prayer, you can have a part in the New Evangelisation. For more information go to http://www.stgenesius.com/.